Iran-Turkey gas pipeline to restart after blast

ANKARA, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Natural gas is expected to resume flowing to Turkey through a pipeline from Iran on Monday after repairs to damage caused by an explosion last week, a Turkish energy ministry official said.

The explosion took place on Thursday in a remote district near the border town of Bazargan in northwestern Iran. Turkish and Iranian officials said it was an act of sabotage.

"The line is open and when the pressure reaches the sufficient level, the gas flow will start," the energy ministry official told Reuters.

Iran is contracted to deliver 22 million cubic metres of natural gas per day to Turkey and the official said this rate would be reached by Monday evening.

Iranian police on Sunday accused Kurdish separatists of blowing up the section of pipeline.